MPs call for crackdown on second homes being used as holiday lets

MPs have called for a strengthening of the law to make it more difficult for second-homeowners to rent their properties as holiday lets.

 

Four Cornwall MPs met with housing and planning minister Matthew Pennycook earlier this month to put forward an ‘Airbnb bill’ that would require planning permission to be granted before properties can be used as secondary rental.

 

Ben Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for north Cornwall, said: “Too many Cornish families are being priced out of their own towns.

 

“That’s why I’m fighting for a new ‘Airbnb bill’ that will stop second home owners from dodging council tax and help put housing back in the hands of local people.

 

“I couldn’t even start to tell you how many constituents have got in touch about the dire state of our housing availability in North Cornwall. The housing minister responded very positively to our proposals.”

 

Maguire met with the minister alongside Andrew George, the Lib Democrat MP for St Ives; Noah Law, Labour MP for St Austell and Newquay; and Anna Gelderd, Labour MP for South East Cornwall.

 

From this month many councils have used new powers to charge second homeowners a 100% council tax premium. However, the MPs have suggested some second homeowners are avoiding the levy hike by changing their properties’ use from residential to business.

 

In 2024 new rules also required anyone letting out their main or sole home for more than 90 nights a year to gain planning permission.

 

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